RODRIGUEZ HITS HOMER IN FIRST AT-BAT

It took him six years to reach the major leagues ... and he homered in his first major league at-bat.

“I can’t explain what went through my mind when that happened,” said the 26-year-old catcher, who was nearly in tears as he recounted his “incredible” major league debut.

“I blacked out when I was going around the bases. I remembered all the hard work, my mom ... I’m sending that ball in a special package to my mom. I’m very blessed to be here.”

Three short days ago, Rodriguez was hitting .223 for Single-A Lake Elsinore.

Thursday he became only the second Padre ever to homer in his first major league at-bat. The first was pitcher Dave Eiland on April 10, 1992.

Rodriguez became the 10th Padre to have a homer as his first major league hit. The last three — Luis Martinez (last season), Yasmani Grandal (June 30) and Rodriguez all have common backgrounds. All three are catchers who were raised in the Miami area.

To take it a bit further with Grandal and Rodriguez, both are catchers whose families brought them to Miami from Cuba as youths. Both eventually caught at the University of Miami. Both began their pro careers in the Cincinnati organization.

Rodriguez’s homer came off Johnny Cueto — a 416-foot shot on a 1-and-2 pitch.

“Johnny and I are good friends,” said Rodriguez. “We started in the Reds organization together. Johnny’s tough. All I was trying to do was to see the ball.”

Although Rodriguez’s third-inning homer into the left-field stands still left the Reds on top 6-1, the catcher was mobbed by teammates as he reached the Padres dugout.

“Yonder (Alonso) nearly crushed me with that hug,” Rodriguez said of the third current Padre who was born in Cuba, attended the University of Miami and started as a pro in the Reds’ system.